If the Ludacris event is used to determine whether there will be future Homecoming concerts, then things are looking up for ETSU students.
“We are very proud of our students and the way they conducted themselves,” said Jack Cotrel, ETSU chief of public safety, after the controversial Ludacris concert went smoothly on Thursday.
“We’re trying to get campus safety to talk to (the administration), maybe this could be a possibility for the future,” said SGA President JR Husmillo.
The 5,000 students and guests that lined up outside in queues that snaked all the way from the Mini-Dome to Sam Wilson Hall and beyond were treated to an approximately two-hour-long event that featured Ludacris and members of the ironically labeled Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) group.
Security was at a maximum throughout the show. According to Cotrel, the officers hired by ETSU administration were from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Johnson City Police Department and ETSU’s own campus police.
Gates opened promptly at 7:30 p.m. to a crowd armed with IDs and tickets that were frisked and searched upon entering as promised by the green sheets distributed with tickets earlier in the week. The crowd cooperated, even if reluctantly.
“It was elementary,” said Shawn Stewart, 19.
“We’re adults,” added student Lachara Duke, 19.
On the other hand, the Student Government Association members were simply grateful for the chance to host the event at all.
“It was absolutely worth it, I hope everyone had fun and realized all the hard work that went into it,” said Husmillo. “It goes to show that ETSU students can behave.”
The potential crowd and violence discussed in numerous letters and complaints to city and campus officials that almost led to a cancellation did not materialize.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Husmillo.
After all the commotion, the gyrating and chanting students in the Dome were given a show, which seemed to be as Ludacris himself promised, “their money’s worth.

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